Federal scrutiny has returned to Hawaii’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit after national anti‑fraud moves; state leaders say they’re cooperating as a fresh federal review proceeds.

A new Hawaii law would ask judges to weigh youth trauma before moving cases into adult court and would bar trafficking survivors from adult prosecution in related cases.

A Maui County committee delayed an overnight parking ban in Kahului and took up a major rewrite of water development fees — a clash of public‑health and infrastructure priorities. Council members want more agency input and a clearer safe‑parking plan before moving forward.

Lawmakers sent SB3025 to the governor to create a program that could buy and wipe out about $91M in medical debt for roughly 50,000 Hawaii residents. The bill includes a $500,000 startup appropriation.

Gov. Josh Green rolled out "A Vision for Hawaiʻi’s Future," a nine‑chapter policy blueprint that sets targets to build nearly 50,000 affordable homes and expand Kauhale supportive housing. The plan ties housing goals to an existing development pipeline and new climate funding.

Government emails show FBI Director Kash Patel joined a military‑coordinated "VIP snorkel" around the USS Arizona Memorial — an outing the FBI did not disclose that has drawn criticism.

Rep. Jill Tokuda led a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as Trump heads to Beijing. Lawmakers say Taiwan must not be a bargaining chip.

Allegations that a longtime Oʻahu doctor secretly used his own sperm have resurfaced, exposing a gap in Hawaiʻi law and prompting calls for new remedies.

Hawaii completed a $1.94 billion bond sale and won rating upgrades that should lower borrowing costs for schools and highway projects.

New federal and local data show Honolulu’s immigration court backlog has jumped, leaving many detained people waiting about 19 months for a first hearing.

Keith Regan, a longtime Maui administrator, has been named acting lieutenant governor as the office faces a bribery probe. The state comptroller says he won't run in August.

The Hawaii Legislature approved SB3001 on May 6, 2026, ordering conversational AI platforms to label themselves, add child safeguards and route crisis users to hotlines.

Kelly King filed to challenge Tom Cook again for the South Maui Council seat, pitching transparency and housing solutions after a 97‑vote loss in 2024.